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Purpose: q
A
place for all students to observe and experience nature and do real science q
A
place to teach q
Aligned
with Middle School Earth Science and Biology Curriculum Objectives: q
Create
a space that is easy to assimilate lessons of natural environment and the
interrelationships between living things – ‘ecology’ q
Age
appropriate learning – K-2/Debbie Russell, 3-4/Michelle Jackson, 5-6/Denise DiSpirito, and Ann Marie Jenkins q
Students
help to create the environment, and maintenance q
Little
to no maintenance (no mowing, weeding, etc.) q Handicap accessible – thru the
Library Elements to be Included: Lead Person: q Plants(wild flowers, thistle,
vegetables), fruit trees and shrubs to
feed wildlife Mary Hall, Bill
Waszkiewicz q insects – butterflies Mary
Hall q birds – tanagers, bluebirds, orioles
(discourage larger birds i.e. blue jays) Mary
Hall q water – frogs, goldfish, Tony
Clementi q
animals
– a relationship with the q weather station – measure rainfall, Amanda
Gabeler q geology – fossils Tony
Clemente q
astronomy (sundial?) Faith
Thompson, Nick Ide q
composting Wendy Finn q
walkways q
teaching/learning
places/signage Wendy Finn q amphitheater for 30 students Jon
Coxwell q
birdhouses Mary
Hall q
pond – prefab w/pump (Toni McCauley?) q
window
replacement – to see/observe the courtyard q
greenhouse- second phase? Other notes: q
Courtyard
area is 75’ x 100’ and has two means of access/egress q
Two
area drains are located in the courtyard but there is a drainage problem q
Many
of the windows looking on to the courtyard have been covered over and the
existing glass has a film that obscures viewing the courtyard from
classrooms. (this is probably a
district funded effort) q
Eliminate
grass and the need to mow q There are no students during the
summer months but summer activities are possible Action Items: Establish a team of teachers,
Rotarians, specialists, students. Confirm G&O’s
- done Check out
other schools (Myles) that have done similar things for lessons
learned – done Prepare a preliminary site plan and
conduct a brainstorming session - done Present to
District, Rotary Club, School, and parents for support Prepare a
three-year schedule, ID and budget projects Check out ‘Audubon for the Birds’ Funding Sources (potential): Community
Foundation, Niagara Mohawk Foundation, BC/BS, MVP, Hughes, Lowe’s, Home Depot For input
call Rotarian Mike Van Strander (853-6362), at
Columbus, Denise DiSpirito |